Method and apparatus to prevent adhesion of type metal to spaces of line-casting machines



,168,411 ETAL 3 Sheets-Sheet l G. D. K LAR 2 PANATUs To PR NT ADHESION oF TYPE M FACES oF NE MACHINES Flled 8 -CAST oh 23,

LI Mar HOD AND AP TO S l Aug.` 8, 1939;

MET

D. METHOD AND APPARATUS TO PREVENT ADHESION OF TYPE METAL Aug. 8, 1939- G. KELLAR TO SPACES OF LINE-CASTING MACHINES 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 23, 1938 AT1-OR INVENTOR @e0/ ye ITB/af BY Aug. 8, 1939. e.A D. KELLAR 2,168,411

METHOD AND APPARATUS TO PREVENT ADHESION OF' TYPE METAL TO SPACES OF LINE-CASTING MACHINES Filed March 23, 1938 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 BY n Patented Aug. 8, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE METHOD ANDl APPARATUS TO PREVENT ADHESION OF TYPE METAL TO SPACES OF LINE-'CASTING MACHINES Claims.

This invention relates to a device for cleaning and lubricating the spaces, space bars or bands of the well known line-casting machine.

Such machines are old in the art and itis not `gf,` believed necessary to describe in detail their general operation. One of the early patents issued on a line-casting machine is No. 436,532, dated September 16, 1890.

Line-casting machines include mechanism for arranging the matrices in a row so that molten type metal may be pressed into the depressions thereof to form the letters of the line of type. Between each word in the line of matrices is positioned a space for separating the words evenly. L" These are made in two pieces, a sleeve and a Wedge or bar sliding thereon. The sleeve is adapted to be positioned in the line of matrices between the words, and the wedge or bar is adapted to be moved up by the justifier to justify the line, that is, to space the words evenly apart and fill the space between the justifying jaws.

In operation, the outside limits of the line of matrices are fixed by suitable jaws in the justifying mechanism and when the line is somewhat loosely transferred to a position between the jaws, the line of matrices is justified by raising the wedges of the spaces, which action increases evenly the spaces between the words until the line of matrices lls the entire space between the jaws and the first and last matrices of the line are forced and pressed against them.

When the matrices and space bars are thus justified between the jaws, molten type metal under relatively high pressure is forced against the casting side of the matrices to form the type bar or line. Repeated operations of this kind eventually cause some of the type metal to adhere and to accumulate on one side of the sleeve of the space immediately adjacent to the matrix impression mold. The metal will adhere to the side of the sleeve which is not adjacent to the movable wedge and will adhere at a point in line with the depressions in the matrices. Accumulation of. metal on the side of the sleeve of the space causes a high point on the sleeve and this is, as said before, immediately adjacent to the depression cut into the matrices. When the wedges of the spaces are forced upwardly to tighten the row of matrices between the jaws, this high point of the space or space sleeve presses against the side wall of the depression in the matrix immediately adjacent thereto, and, because this wall is thin and the pressure created in the line by the uprising lll (Cl. ISS-62).

wedges is comparatively high, it forces the side of the wall inwardly and destroys it, thus causing a hairline which `is a burr of type metal sticking up above the surface of the type and which punctures and damages the ink rollers of 5 the press and the printing paper causing a smudge of ink to appear thereon, rendering the nearby letters illegible. When the side wall of the impression mold of the matrix is forced inwardly and broken by the adhesion of type metal on the space sleeve, a burr of. type metal or a hairline will appear in any and every Word to which the matrix with the damaged side wall is a member and as often as this matrix is used because there is no longer a wall to confine the type metal within the mold of the matrix.

In an attempt to prevent the accumulation of type metal on the spaces, as heretofore described, it is now common practice to rub each space on a more or less flat surface covered with graphite. The presence of graphite on the spaces prevents the adhesion and accumulation of type metal thereon. As a practical matter, this operation is performed about once every eight hours and 1t necessitates the removal of the spaces from the machine, the rubbing of each one individually in the graphite and the return of the spaces to the machine, which operations require about twenty minutes for the cleaning of the spaces of each machine. 30

It is an object of this invention to provide means for automatically lubricating and wiping the spaces at the point where the type metal usually accumulates and where its presence is most objectionable, so that it is unnecessary to remove the spaces periodically Vto perform this manual lubricating and cleaning operation above described. With the applicants device, the space is wiped and lubricated every time it is used and is thus kept lubricated at all times. This is in contrast with the old method whereby the spaces received the graphite treatment about every eight hours and is much superior to the old method because graphite is supplied to the spaces in just the proper quantity and place each time a space is used. With the hand method, a surplus amount of. graphite existed on the space immediately after the manual lubricating operation and as the space is used, time after time throughout the day, the graphite is removed therefrom until, toward the end of the day, there is insufficient graphite to prevent the formation of the type metal thereon. Too much graphite is present on the spaces immediately after the cleaning and lubricating operation and too little after 55 they have been used for a few hours. The presence of surplus graphite has many disadvantages, some of which are as follows:-

1. It is transferred to the matrices and is packed and compressed on tight by the pressure in the line caused by the upward movement of the wedges of the spaces during the justification, thus increasing the thickness of the matrices unevenly which interferes with perfect justification of the line.

2. 'Ihe matrices transfer the surplus graphite into the channels of the magazine where it is packed tight and, especially in damp weather, interferes with their movement in the magazine and prevents them from responding to the operators touch with the right momentum and often do not respond at all, thus causing transpositions and errors in the assembled line of matrices in front of him.

3. The surplus graphite sets on and blackens the surface of the matrices, thus greatly decreasing the legibility of the reference characters thereon which increases the eye strain on the operator and decreases his chances of detecting and correcting any errors on the line before it is cast.

The disadvantage of insuiliclent graphite, which is the condition which usually exists after the spaces have been in use for four or five hours, is that the molten metal will tend to adhere to the unlubricated surface of the space sleeve, and if the time between graphite treatments is prolonged too much, the result will be a dangerous accumulation of this metal which is ruinous to the side walls of the depressions in the matrices, as heretofore pointed out.

A'n object of this invention is to preserve and increase the life of the matrices by treating the space bar slide with just the right quantity of graphite to prevent the adhesion of the type metal and also to furnish graphite in such quantities and form as to prevent the accumulation of surplus, with the resultant disadvantages as outlined above. This is accomplished in the applicants device by wiping and lubricating the space sleeves every time they are used and during this operation applying only a small quantity of graphite so there remains no surplus on the space bars.

Another advantage of the invention is that it is so designed that it can easily be applied to all standard line-casting machines without structural changes therein.

Still another advantage of the invention is that the device is so designed and constructed as to produce a uniform wiping pressure on the space at all times regardless of the length of time that the device has been in use andrregardless of Whether or not the felt is new or has been worn down by constant use over a long period of time.

Another object of the invention is to produce a means for applying graphite in stick form, as distinguished from graphite flake or powder which is dirty to handle and diflicult to keep out of other parts of the machine and other objects in the composing room where its presence is undesirable.

In the drawings:-

Fig. 1 is an end view of applicants device attached to the space magazine of the line-casting machine.

Fig. 2 is a section through 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a side view'of applicants device in a different position than that shown in the previous figures.

Fig. 4 isa side view of applicants device looking from the side opposite to that shown in Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is a section through 5 5 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 6 is a section through 6 6 of Fig. 5.

Fig. 7 is a perspective View of a space or spacer bar.

Fig. 8 is an end view of another embodiment of applicants invention.

Fig. 9 is a section through 9--9 of Fig. 8.

Fig. 10 is a side view, partly in section, of still another embodiment of applicants invention.

Fig. 11 is a perspective view of still another embodiment of applicants invention.

Fig. 12 is a side view of the space magazine or box, partly in section, and showing another embodiment of applicants invention.

Fig. 13 is an end view of the apparatus shown in Fig. 12.

Looking at the drawings, Fig. 7 shows what is sometimes known as a space, spacer bar or spacer band. Hereafter we will call this device, which is a well known part of a line-casting machine, a space. At I (Fig. '1) is shown the wedge or bar which is very thin at the upper end thereof, shown at 2, and relatively thick at the lower end, shown at 3. The spacer bar or wedge slides on a sleeve 4 equipped with shoulders 5.

Looking at Fig. 2, the more or less rectangular framework shown at 6 is the space box or magazine in which the spaces hang from a pair of tracks, shown at 1 (only one track is shown in this View because it is a sectional view). The spaces are supported on these tracks by means of shoulders 5 and the inclination of the tracks causes the spaces to slide downwardly into the position shown at 8. where a number of spaces are illustrated in the magazine. A pair of movable lingers, one of which is shown at I0, are adapted to move up and down, and in the upward movement lift off the first space in the row and move the bottom thereof over the lip II of the space channel I2 so that the space may drop downwardly through the space channel to be assembled with the matrices in the line. Fingers IIJ are attached to a pair of pivoted arms I3 which are moved downwardly by a space key on the keyboard of the line-casting machine. Suitable links, one of which is shown at I4, connect the arms I3 with the fingers I0. This much of the construction is typical of a standard line-casting machine and forms no part of the present invention, but is briefly referred to here to better describe the applicants invention.

Applicants invention consists of a device for cleaning the spaces and the mechanism thereof is mounted on a ilat plate 20 adapted to be attached to the end of the space magazine by suitable screws 2I. In the preferred embodiment, the wiper, shown at 23, is arcuate in shape and the outer edge is equipped with a felt pad 24. This is mounted on a short shaft 25 supported in a bearing 26, which in turn, is attached to the upper end of a pivoted arm 21 which is pivoted on a shaft 28 mounted in suitable trunnions 29 supported on a plate 20. 'Ihis construction is shown in Fig. 6. To the lower end of arm 21 is attached a flat spring 30 which tends to press the upper portion of the arm 21 inwardly in the direction of the space magazine. Attached to the outer end of shaft 25, which serves to support the wiper 23, is a short crank 3l to which is attached a link 32. The lower end of this link is connected to the pivoted arm I3 by means of a short extension to that arm shown at 33. For

convenience :linadjusting the device, the link 32 is made in two parts, the upper portion 34 having slots therein to receive screws 35 and 3'3 which serve to adjustably connect the upper and lower portions of the link so that its length is adjustable to permit convenient attachment and operation. A pin 31 serves to limit the relative movement of link 32 and bell crank 3|.

Positioned above the wiper 24 is a graphite stick holder of Arectangular cross-section shown at 40. This is adapted to carry the graphite stick 4I and a small weight 42 for pressing the graphite stick downwardly into contact with the felt 24 of the wiper 23.

The normal or at rest position of the wiper is shown in Fig. 2 where the arm VI 3 is in its uppermost position and the wiper is out of Contact with the face of the sleeve of the space. The wiper is so arranged relative to the space that it contacts that portion of the space on which type metal would normally accumulate if the space were not properly lubricated. When the operator of the machine presses the space key, arm I3 moves downwardly and so does link 32, thus rotating the wiper 23 from the position shown in Fig. 2 to the position shown in Fig. 3. This operation serves to wipe the felt against the face of the space sleeve, and upon the upward movement of the arms, the ngers I raise the rst space and permit it to drop through the slot I2. As the arm I3 returns to its uppermost position, the wiper 23 is rotated back again in a clockwise direction, as viewed in Figs. 2 and 3, and into the position shown in Fig; 3, and lduring this movement, it again wipes the face of the space sleeve in the opposite direction. During this oscillation of the wiper, it moves across the underside of the graphite stick 4I and is supplied with a fresh supply of graphite. The nature of the stick is such that only a small quantity of graphite is added on each operation, but it is sufficient to accomplish thedesired purpose. In this manner, each space bar is wiped twice by the graphite carrying felt. It is acted upon first as the wiper moves" in an anti-clockwise direction from the position shown in Fig. 2 to that shown in Fig. 3, and it is wiped upwardly in the opposite direction just before it is released by the fingers I0.

The arm 21 is pivoted and spring loaded so as to compensate for wear on the felt and also to prevent excess pressure against the face of the space sleeve. This excess pressure is undesirable because if it is suicient, it will tend to move the space back away from the ngers I0 so that they will not serve to release the space and permit it to drop down through the slot I2.

In the embodiment shown in Figs. 8 and 9, the wiper |23 is mounted on a shaft |25 carried in a bushing |26, which in turn, is supported on a cantilever spring arm |21. The lower portion of this arm is riveted to the plate I20 by rivets |30. The arm is equipped with an adjusting screw I3I equipped with a lock nut |32. By means of this screw the relative position of the wiper and space sleeve can be closely adjusted to compensate for wear on the felt |24 and to permit proper adjustment of the pressure exerted by the wiper against the face of the sleeve. In this embodiment, the wiper is actuated by a link mechanism, shown at |32, which is connected in the same manner as the link 32, illustrated in the previous figure.

In the device illustrated in Fig. 10, the wiper consists of a cylinder I0 having a coil spring 1I therein designed to thrust outwardly the felt 12. A bar of graphite is mounted on a spring 1-4 attached vto 4plate 15. This serves to lubricate felt 12. The felt is limited in its outward movement by a suitable collar or the like. Y

In operation, the devices shown in Figs. 8, 9 and l0 function very much like the devices shown in the :previous gures except that the device shown in Figs. Sand 9 must be adjusted occasionally to compensate for wear and to produce the desired pressure against `the sleeve. In the device shown .in Fig. 10, the desired pressure is regulatedby means of the spring 1 I.

Fig. 11 shows still `another embodiment of applicants invention which includes a wiper 223 mounted on a shaft 225 carried in a bushing 22| supported on plate 220. Wiper 223 is rectangular in shape and at each end is a felt wiper pad 224. At the opposite end of shaft 225 is a small pinion 226 which meshes with `a larger pinion 221, mounted on an arm 228 attached to vertical pivotedsarm 229. Arm 229 is pivoted on shaft 230 and is normally urged inwardly toward the interior of the space magazine by flat spring 23|. Mounted on pinion 221 is a one-way clutch 232 which .permits pinion 221 tc move only in a clockwise direction as viewed from the side thereof to which the clutch is attached. A link 234 connects the clutch with a pivoted arm 235, one end of which is equipped with a U slot 233 to receive the extension 33 of arm I3. A bar of graphite 2.36 is attached to a flat spring 231 and serves to apply this lubricant to the felts of the wiper 223.

`Pinion 221 has about twice the diameter ci! pinion 225 so that when the former rotates throughan arc of about 90, the latter will make a half revolution to insure that one felt wiper will lubricate the first space in the space box. The one-way clutch permits the wiper to rotate only in one direction, to wipe downwardly on the rst space. A Vfriction spring 240 presses upon shaft 225 through a suitable opening in bushing 22| so that the friction of the various parts will not move the shaft 225 backward or clockwise. The pressure of the wipers against the spaces is regulated by means of the spring 23 I.

In operation, when arm I3 moves downwardly in response tothe actuation of the space, key link 234 moves up and rotates pinion 221 and the wipers are moved in a counter-clockwise direction about 180 so that one of them will wipe the first space in the magazine. As the link 234 moves downwardly the clutch 232 slips and the wiper mechanism remains at rest. As the wipers brush by the graphite bar, they will be supplied with a small `quantity of this lubricant.

In the embodiment illustrated in Figs. 12 and 13, the wiper is designed to move lengthwise of the space to contact a larger area than can be wiped and lubricated by the rotary devices illustrated in the previous figures. In machines equipped to cast type of relatively large letters, the area von the space subject to the high pressure molten type metal is greater than in machines using the smaller type, and for that reason, it may be necessary to wipe the space over a larger area than could be treated by a wiper moving in `an arc of a circle and contacting the fiat surface of the space.

InFig. 12, the space magazine or box is illustrated at 6 and one of the arms for actuating the space escapement mechanism is shown at I3. The normal or at rest position of this arm is raised, and it is so shown in the drawings. Near the outer end, or the end farthest from the pivot point, the arm is equipped with a screw 30| which can be used to attach a washer 302 equipped with a pin 303.

Applicants cleaning and lubricating device is mounted on a plate 320, which is adapted to be secured to the end of the space box 6 by suitable screws shown at 32|. This plate 320 is so constructed that it may be readily attached to a standard line-casting machine. Pivoted to plate 320 at pivot point 340 is a transversely disposed lever 34| equipped with a hole or slot 342 at the left end thereof, as shown in Fig. 13. This hole is adapted to receive pin 303 so that when arm I3 is raised and lowered in response to the operators call for a space, the left hand end of pivoted lever 34| will likewise be raised and lowered. The movement of this lever is limited and conned by a suitable strap 343. The lever 34| may move up and down freely within the confines of this U-shaped strap. Connected to the right hand end of lever 34|, as viewed in Fig. 13, is a Vertically disposed offset arm 344, to the upper end of which is attached a flat spring 345 adapted to carry the wiper element 341 made of felt or some other soft material. Offset arm 344 is urged inwardly toward the plate 320 by spring 346 which is attached to the plate 320 by screw 341. On the opposite end thereof from the screw 341 it is equipped with a roller 348 so disposed that the roller bears against the arm 344 and permits vertical movement thereof without an undue amount of friction. Plate 320 is equipped with a pair of shoulders 350, between which is mounted a roller 35| adapted to carry the arm 344. Spring 34B presses the arm onto roller 35|. The spaces or space bars are illustrated at 308.

In operation, when the arm I3 which is normally held in its raised position, as illustrated, moves downwardly in response to the operators call for a space, it carries the left hand end of lever 34| (as shown in Fig. 13) with it and raises the opposite end thereof so that offset arm 344 is moved upwardly from the position shown in the figures, and as it does so, the offset cam surface 360, cooperating with the roller 35| under the urge of the spring 346, causes the wiper 341 to contact the surface of the first space and move upwarly along it to wipe it. When the arm |3 begins to return to its upper position, the wiper 341 will be drawn downwardly in contact with the rst space in the space box until the cooperating cam surface 360 and roller 35| move the wiper outwardly away from the space into the position shown in the figures. In this manner, each space will be operated upon each time that it is called for by the operator of the machine, and the wiper will move up and again move down over the area to be treated.

'Ihe present invention is designed to apply other substances than graphite to the spaces. In practice the application of mercury has been found to possess many advantages. A space coated with mercury will not collect type metal because the type metal will not adhere to the portion of the space which is treated with the mercury. The mercury may be applied alone with any of the wiper mechanisms above described or it may be incorporated with graphite to produce a mixture having the advantage of minimum adhesions with good lubricating qualities. The graphite and mercury may be made into a solid stick by the use of a suitable binder and this can be used in the device heretofore described. Any binder may be used to make up the mercury in solid form for use in the mechanism herein shown, so that it may be incorporated in a stick with some inert binder with or without a lubricant such; as graphite.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a device of the character described for wiping a space sleeve and applying lubricant thereto, a positively operated wiper means for connecting said wiper to the space key mechanism of a type line-casting machine, said wiper adapted to be actuated upon movement of the space key mechanism to wipe the space sleeve while it is in the space magazine and before it drops into the space channel for delivery to the matrix line in the assembler, and means for supplying lubricant to the wiper only each time it is actuated.

2. In a device of the character described for wiping a space sleeve and applying lubricant thereto, an oscillating wiper connected to the release mechanism for the space so that upon operation thereof said wiper will wipe a space before its delivery to the space channel for delivery to the matrix line, and means for applying lubricant to said wiper.

3. In a device of the character described for wiping a space sleeve and applying lubricant thereto, an oscillating wiper positively driven to wipe a space just before its release from the space magazine and delivery to the space channel, and means for supplying a lubricant to said wiper only each time it is actuated.

4. In a device of the character described for wiping a space sleeve and applying lubricant thereto, an oscillating wiper mounted so as to be normally urged toward the space to be acted upon, means for oscillating said wiper so that it will move back and forth across the face of a space while said space is in the space magazine, and means for supplying lubricant to the wiper only upon each movement thereof.

5. In a device of the character described for wiping a space sleeve and applying lubricant thereto, an arcuate felt Wiper mounted on a pivoted arm, spring means for urging said arm in the direction of the space magazine to bring the wiper into contact with the space in the magazine, linkage connecting said wiper and the space discharge mechanism so that upon actuation of the latter said wiper is operated to move across the face of the first space in the space magazine, and means for supplying lubricant to the wiper.

6. In a device of the character described for wiping a space sleeve and applying lubricant thereto, an oscillating wiper mounted on a spring arm, means for moving said arm toward and away from the space magazine and positioning it in any desired position between certain limits, linkage for connecting the wiper with the space discharge mechanism so that upon actuation of the latter said wiper wil1 move through a limited arc to wipe the face of the first space in the magazine.

'7. In a device of the character described for wiping a space sleeve and applying lubricant thereto, an oscillating wiper comprising a pad of soft material mounted on a spring so that it may move toward and away from the center of the wiper support, means for oscillating the wiper through a limited arc to contact the first space in the space magazine, and means for supplying lubricant to the wiper.

8. In a device of the character described for wiping and lubricating the spaces of a line-casting machine, a soft wiping surface, means for oscillating said wiping surface so that it will contact a space, means for supplying lubricant to said surface, and linkage for connecting said wiper to the space release mechanism so that said wiper will be operated when said space release mechanism operates.

9. In a device of the character described for wiping and lubricating the spaces of a line-casting machine, a wiping surface positioned so that upon oscillation thereof it will wipe against the iirst space in the magazine, means for rotating said Wiper surface, and means for supplying lubricant to said wiper surface.

10. In a device of the character described, a positively operated Wiper adapted to be actuated to Wipe a space sleeve upon movement of the space feeding mechanism of the line-casting machine, and means for operably connecting said wiper to said mechanism so that upon movement of the latter said Wiper is actuated to engage a space sleeve.

11. In a device of the character described for wiping a space sleeve, a positively operated wiper connected to the space feeding mechanism and adapted to be actuated to wipe a space before it is fed into the casting line upon movement of said mechanism. v

12. In a device of the character described for wiping a space sleeve, a movable wiping surface, and means for operably connecting said surface to the space feeding mechanism of the line-casting machine so that said wiper is actuated upon movement of said mechanism.

13. In a device of the character described for wiping a space sleeve and applying lubricant thereto, a positively operated wiper, means for operably connecting said wiper to the space feeding mechanism of the line-casting machine so that upon actuation of said feeding mechanism said Wiper will be positively moved to Wipe a space before it is fed into the casting line, and means for supplying lubricant to said wiper.

i4. In a device of the character described for wiping a space sleeve and supplying lubricant thereto, a movable wiping surface, means for operably connecting said surface to the space feeding mechanism so that said wiper is actuated upon movement of said mechanism, and means for supplying lubricant to said wiper each time it moves through a complete wiping cycle.

l5. In a device of the character described for wiping a space sleeve and applying lubricant thereto, a positively operated wiper, means for connecting said wiper to the space key mechanism so that upon movement of the latter said wiper is actuated to Wipe the space sleeve While it is in the space magazine and before it drops into the space channel for delivery to the matrix line in the assembler, and means for supplying lubricant to the Wiper each time it is actuated.

GEORGE D. KEILAR. 

